New Delhi: The Supreme Court today (Dec 13, 2004) asked the Petroleum Ministry as to why the allottees of 297 petrol pumps, whose allotments had been recommended to be cancelled, be not asked to discontinue operations.

The high-powered committee appointed by the Supreme Court had examined 409 allotments of petrol pumps and gas agencies by the previous NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government and had recommended cancellation of 297, citing irregularities in their selection.

The Court wanted to know from the Ministry as to what steps it would take to maintain the supply position of the petroleum products in areas where these 297 allotments are located.

The Court asked the Ministry to respond by January 10 and fixed the matter for further hearing on January 18.